Stephanie Dianne Hartwell disappeared on the morning of November 28, 2001, from Columbia, Mississippi. She was last seen between approximately 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. in the area of 94 Harrison-Jefferson Road. Witnesses reported seeing Stephanie get into a green four-door Saturn with tinted windows. She has never been seen again.

That morning, Stephanie followed her normal routine by walking her children to the school bus stop. She had agreed to babysit her young nephew while her sister attended a job interview. According to her family, Stephanie had every intention of keeping that commitment and had made preparations for her nephew's arrival.

When Stephanie's sister arrived at the apartment later that morning, she immediately noticed that something was wrong. The apartment door was unlocked, and Stephanie was nowhere to be found. Inside, the bathtub had already been filled with water, and clean clothes had been laid out for her nephew. Nothing suggested Stephanie had planned to leave for an extended period of time. Instead, the scene indicated she had been preparing to bathe her nephew and was interrupted before she could finish what she was doing.

As the day went on and Stephanie failed to return, her family became increasingly concerned. They knew she would never have intentionally left without arranging care for her nephew or without being home when her own children returned from school. Family members have consistently stated that Stephanie was devoted to her children and would not have abandoned them under any circumstances. She was reported missing shortly after it became clear that something was wrong.

At the time of her disappearance, Stephanie was attempting to leave an abusive relationship with a man identified as Katron. According to family members and investigators, the relationship had been marked by domestic violence, and Stephanie had been trying to distance herself from him.

Investigators also learned that Stephanie had recently experienced a serious disagreement with a friend named Lawanda. Despite that falling out, witnesses reported seeing Stephanie get into the green Saturn with Lawanda on the morning she disappeared. Lawanda was among the last known people to see Stephanie alive.

Over the years, both Katron and Lawanda have been publicly identified as individuals investigators wanted to question because of their connections to Stephanie before she vanished. Despite extensive interviews and investigative efforts, authorities have never announced enough evidence to file criminal charges against either person in connection with her disappearance.

Stephanie's family has continued searching for answers for more than two decades. Investigators have received numerous tips, but none have led to Stephanie or explained what happened to her after she entered the vehicle that morning. No confirmed sightings have been reported since November 28, 2001.

Stephanie's disappearance remains an active unsolved missing persons case. Investigators continue to encourage anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. You can contact the Marion County Sheriff's Department (601) 731-3782